A number of years back I took as long a cruise as I could through the arrow head region on my motorcycle, end up in Ely.
While there I was inspired to design a knife and name it after a lake - so I named this the White Iron Hunter. (I've made quite a few of these.)
I forged the blade from a 1 1/8" round bar of W1 tool steel. A clay process during the hardening process results in the distinctive 'hamon' on the blade surface. It's the result of differential hardening.
Now, right in my neighborhood of northern Minnesota, I have a neighbor who truly is the ex-husband of a rather popular country woman singer and was both her tour manager and lead guitarist and back-up singer. If you have any interest in classic country, you would know her.
Well, he still builds guitars and still does tour managing for the Nashville crowd.
Last year I was over at his shop and he gave me a chunk of maple burl that he couldn't use in his guitar work.
I sent it off and had it stabilized.
Hope you enjoy:

Great looking knife and the maple adds a nice touch to it

i watch a program on Youtube called Japanology and they show the craftsman over there working in small shops making knives and other traditional items.they do make a somewhat big deal out of what these fellows do but i find you work just as good if not better.

American made should be better than "made in Japan".